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Saturday 13 June 2009

Wargame Rules for the late 19th and early 20th centuries – Play-test 1 – The starting positions

The battlefield is fairly flat, but is dotted with large rocky outcrops and a few stands of palm trees.

The battlefield seen from the direction of the Anglo-Egyptian advance.
The Anglo-Egyptian force has entered the battlefield in two columns – with the British on the right and the Egyptians on the left. The columns are flanked by the British Machine Gun stand on the right and the British Rifled Field Artillery stand on the left. They are led by the Command stand, and the Transport stands follow in the rear.

The Anglo-Egyptians advancing in a compact column toward the Mahdists.
The Mahdists force has split into three groups. The Jihadia Riflemen, the Smooth-bore Field Artillery stand, and the Command stand – flanked on their right by two Cavalry stands and a further Cavalry stand on the left – have occupied the main axis of advance that the Anglo-Egyptians must take. Concealed behind large rocky outcrops on either side of this are the rest of the Mahdist troops.

The Jihadia Riflemen and Mahdist Smooth-bore Field Artillery await the advance of the Anglo-Egyptian column.

4 comments:

  1. This looks really good - it is almost like an unfolding story and I cant wait to see how it moves along. I noted the point about the General rating and I wonder if you had considered early armoured cars, tanks, aircraft and gunboats etc. I have been thinking about these can be best added in but am sure it wont be difficult!

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  2. Ogrefencer,

    I had hoped to do the whole things as one blog entry but time (and other commitments) has interfered. Hopefully I will begin the play-test tomorrow, and it is my intention to do a detailed blog entry (with pictures) for the first couple of turns at least.

    I had considered including all sorts of other bits and pieces like armoured cars and aircraft in the first draft of the rules, but then I decided that the best thing to do was to get the basic structure and systems right first, and then add extras later.

    Bob

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  3. Probably for the best re the 'exotics' because after all, as you rightly pointed out (sorry Bob, I got carried away with enthusiasm!) getting the basics right first is the priority! At first glance though my thoughts re the Balkan Wars and these rules are gathering momentum. Certainly the number figures required will not be onerous to paint nor financially prohibitive - this is an important consideraion as it will probably have to be a solo project. Cant wait to see how it plays out!

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  4. Ogrefencer,

    I am already up to turn 3 in the play-test, and things are really about to kick off!

    With any luck the blog entry about the play-test should be online later today ... assuming that I don't get any more interruptions to do gardening or shopping!

    Bob

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